Why WWE New Day’s Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods were released

Details surrounding the sudden exit of New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have been revealed, and it appears they might’ve been the latest releases by WWE.

In the wake of their exits, Bryan Alvarez noted that it was the New Day’s decision to leave WWE. Alvarez noted that “they were asked to restructure” their contracts, which they didn’t like, and they were “granted their release.”

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer confirmed that the New Day’s Kingston and Woods did sign new contracts in 2025. These contracts were going to keep them in the company until 2030, but they were approached about taking a pay cut.

“They didn’t accept the pay cut and left on their own,” Meltzer said.

Meltzer also claimed that “it was time to leave probably two years ago,” so this move has been a long time coming. A change of scenery could do them good, though it appears they have a 90-day non-compete clause.

“But they will be free agents in three months I believe, as their situation is different from the other roster cuts,” Meltzer explained about the New Day’s exit.

New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods left WWE over the weekend

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, it was reported that Kingston and Woods were leaving WWE. This ended a near-20-year tenure for Kingston with WWE. Woods, meanwhile, had been with WWE since 2010.

While the New Day is one of the most iconic factions in WWE history, they lost something when Big E was forced into retirement after suffering a neck injury in 2022.

Kingston and Woods continued without him, ousting him from the group in 2024. Still, something was missing from the group without Big E.

The New Day ended their run with 13 WWE-branded tag team championship wins. This is the second-most by a team behind the Dudley Boyz (18).

The post Why WWE New Day’s Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods were released appeared first on ClutchPoints.